Tropical Storm Rafael was forecast to grow steadily, if not rapidly as it churns past Jamaica's west coast on a path for Cuba, where it's expected to arrive later in the week as a hurricane. Rafael was becoming more organized as the center of the storm ...

Once Rafael enters the Gulf it is expected to remain a strong Category 1 hurricane and make a westerly turn. It should maintain strength until Thursday or Friday as it travels over the Loop Current.

Tropical Storm Rafael gained steam late on Monday as it churned northward toward Cuba, which is still struggling to recover from a nationwide blackout and hurricane two weeks ago. The U.S. National Hurricane Center said Rafael would see "steady or rapid intensification" before plowing across western Cuba with maximum predicted winds of up to 100 mph (160 kph) by Wednesday.